BiCNU Side Effects

Generic name: carmustine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 7, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about carmustine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name BiCNU.

Applies to carmustine: implantation implant. Other dosage forms:

• intravenous powder for solution

Serious side effects of BiCNU

Along with its needed effects, carmustine (the active ingredient contained in BiCNU) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking carmustine:

More common

• Blurred vision
• change in ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• confusion
• fever
• headache
• nausea
• problems with movement, walking, or speech
• seizures
• trouble healing
• vomiting

Less common

• Change in personality
• drowsiness
• general feeling of illness
• severe headache
• stiff neck or back
• weakness

Other side effects of BiCNU

Some side effects of carmustine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Back pain
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• frequent urge to urinate
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• lower back or side pain
• stomach pain
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Less common

• Chest pain

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to carmustine: implant device, intravenous powder for injection.

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism

Frequency not reported: Pulmonary toxicity (IV formulation)^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Myelosuppression (IV formulation)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting, constipation

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain

Postmarketing reports: Diarrhea, anorexia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Increased transaminase, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased bilirubin^[Ref]

Renal

Postmarketing reports: Progressive azotemia, decrease in kidney size, renal failure^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Postmarketing reports: Tachycardia, chest pain, Veno-occlusive disease^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Administration reactions (IV formulation)

Postmarketing reports: Burning sensation^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Asthenia, fever

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain

Frequency not reported: Wafer migration (wafer formulation)^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Ocular toxicity (IV formulation)

Postmarketing reports: Conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision, loss of depth perception^[Ref]

Oncologic

Postmarketing reports: Acute leukemia, bone marrow dysplasia^[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Impaired neurosurgical wound healing (wafer formulation) (16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Meningitis (wafer formulation)

Postmarketing reports: Opportunistic infection (sometimes fatal)

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain

Metabolic

Postmarketing reports: Diabetes mellitus

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Confusion, depression

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, thinking abnormal, hallucinations, insomnia, personality disorder

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection

Nervous system

(wafer formulation) (23%), aphasia, somnolence, speech disorder

Common (1% to 10%): Intracranial hypertension (wafer formulation), brain abscess (wafer formulation), brain cyst (wafer formulation), hydrocephalus (wafer formulation), cerebral edema (wafer formulation), amnesia, facial paralysis, ataxia, hypesthesia, paresthesia, abnormal gait, dizziness, tremor, coma, hypokinesia

Postmarketing reports: Headache, encephalopathy

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Rash

Postmarketing reports: Hyperpigmentation, swelling, erythema, skin necrosis, alopecia, allergic reaction

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer